TITLE: Bulls appoint Hawks executive Bryson Graham as Executive VP of Basketball Operations
SLUG: bulls-hire-bryson-graham-executive-vice-president-basketball-operations
CONTENT:
The Chicago Bulls have selected Atlanta Hawks senior vice president Bryson Graham to become the franchise’s new Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations, the club announced Monday, May 4, 2026.
Graham, 39, spent 15 years with the New Orleans Pelicans organization from 2010 through 2025, rising from intern during the 2010-11 season to general manager for the 2024-25 campaign. He joined Atlanta last offseason after being recruited by Hawks general manager Onsi Saleh.
Well regarded for his scouting acumen, Graham’s draft résumé includes Trey Murphy III (17th overall), Herb Jones (35th), Dyson Daniels (8th) and Nickeil Alexander-Walker (17th). Daniels and Alexander-Walker captured consecutive Most Improved Player awards. Graham also helped broker the draft-night deal that sent the Pelicans’ 2026 first-round pick to Atlanta, now considered one of this year’s most valuable assets.
The Bulls narrowed their search to three finalists—Graham, Detroit Pistons senior vice president Dennis Lindsey and Minnesota Timberwolves general manager Matt Lloyd—after conducting in-person interviews last week. President and COO Michael Reinsdorf engaged a search firm and spoke with several other league executives, including Cavaliers GM Mike Gansey, Spurs assistant GM Dave Telep and Celtics assistant GM Dave Lewin.
Graham is just the third person to run Chicago’s basketball operations in the 21st century. John Paxson held the post from 2009 to 2020, followed by Arturas Karnisovas, who was dismissed shortly before the final week of the 2025-26 regular season.
The incoming executive inherits substantial flexibility. Chicago controls its own 2026 lottery pick, the Portland Trail Blazers’ 2026 first-rounder acquired in a 2021 trade involving Lauri Markkanen, and nearly $60 million in projected salary-cap space. The current roster features Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis, Tre Jones and 2025 lottery selection Noa Essengue, who appeared in only two games before undergoing season-ending surgery.
Among Graham’s immediate tasks are reconstructing a team that finished 29-51 and missed the playoffs for a fourth consecutive year and leading the search for a new head coach after Billy Donovan stepped down following six seasons.
Source: ESPN
